38 IRA Prisoners Break Out of the Maze Prison

On this day in 1983, 38 IRA prisoners hijacked a lorry and broke out of the Maze, a maximum security prison in Northern Ireland. One of the guards on duty that night died of a heart attack as a result. 19 of the prisoners were recaptured in the following days, but the other 19 were not.

Jim Dougal reports for RTÉ News on 26 September 1983, the day after the breakout. James Prior, the Secretary of State in Northern Ireland has announced an inquiry. Dougal asks Prior if he thinks there was collusion between the prisoners and the Maze staff and if the escape is a boost for the IRA.